Conservation easements have been a powerful tool to protect land from development, and conservationists are lauding the new tax law for extending enhanced federal tax breaks for donating land development rights through 2013 (and retroactively back to Jan. 1, 2012).

FORBES: Good And Bad News For Conservationists In New Tax Law

Not everyone agrees that selling development rights to a land trust is the wisest choice for the landowner.

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With a conservation easement, you give some or all of the development rights on your land to a government agency or not-for-profit (there are more than 1, 700 local land trusts), and you get a federal income tax deduction for the gift (the difference in the value of the land before and after the easement is in place).

FORBES: Good And Bad News For Conservationists In New Tax Law

Government officials in both countries have enormous influence over contracts and procurement, development and infrastructure projects, loan approvals, real estate transactions, land use rights, and preferences in regulated industries.

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The delegation included experts on labor rights and economic development, rule of law and political reform, ethnic conflict and reconciliation, land-mine removal, and criminal justice.

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